A reader wrote to us a few days ago to ask about some larvae and beetles she found, sending us some excellent pictures of the creatures in question. She suspects she found carpet beetle larvae, an idea she wanted us to weigh in on, and she also found some sort of beetle that she wasn't able to identify, which she also wanted our help with. In addition to the matter of identification, the reader wanted to know how to get rid of the carpet beetle larvae - or whatever they may be - that she is finding. Continue reading [...]…

A reader wrote to us recently about some worms she is finding in "dark places" around her house. More specifically, she is finding the worms "in lounge, under sofa, behind sofa," so evidently the worms have taken to hiding around or under furniture. The worms, which are about an inch long, are a cream color with brown tips, although some appear to be mostly brown, which makes them difficult to see because they are the same color as her carpet, and they are always on her carpet. The reader wants two questions answered: what are the cream and brown one-inch worms she is finding, and how can she get rid of them? Continue reading [...]…

One of our readers discovered two specimens on her bed: case bearing clothes moth larvae and carpet beetle larvae. Both of these larvae are considered to be household pests, so it is important that our reader begin cleaning to get rid of them ASAP to keep the damage to a minimum. Continue reading [...]…

A woman in Poland is currently dealing with an infestation of hundreds of tiny worms inside her house. According to our reader, the worms are only found sticking to the top parts of her ground-floor walls and ceilings, are 1-2mm long (0.04-0.08-inches), and appear to be black in color with a segmented outer gray layer. Continue reading [...]…

A reader sent in this image of a creature on her bed, asking us if it was either a carpet beetle larva or a maggot. The image displays a ovate creature with bristles around its body. One half of this critter's back is striped brown and beige, and the other is a solid brown. Continue reading [...]…

We believe the orange creature our reader found in his bed is a carpet beetle larvae. He should start the daily cleaning regime we laid out above ASAP to ensure he doesn't end up dealing with an infestation. Continue reading [...]…

Today we will attempt to answer the classic question, "What is this?" Along with the question, our reader sent a photograph of a small orange worm-like organism on what appears to be some sort of linen. Continue reading [...]…

One of our readers found some dead creatures in a carpet she recently bought. We believe these are carpet beetle larvae, which are known as household pests. We recommend she clean the carpet before installing it just in case there are living carpet beetle larvae in it that could spread to other parts of her home! Continue reading [...]…

We believe the group of worm-like organisms our reader found on the outside of her house are carpet beetle larvae. We encourage our reader to clear away these larvae and to keep them out of her home, where they could become destructive pests. Continue reading [...]…

We think this might be a carpet beetle larva. Since our reader found this worm in her carpet, this seems especially appropriate. Continue reading [...]…

We have explained why case bearing moth larvae and carpet beetle larvae are sometimes found together or near each other. Neither of these creatures is actually harmful, but they can be destructive and are therefore both considered to be pests. Continue reading [...]…

We think the specimen our reader discovered in her cabinet is a carpet beetle larva. Getting rid of carpet beetle larvae depends solely on cleaning! Continue reading [...]…

We believe our reader has discovered carpet beetle larvae in her chinchilla's food bowl. Although they can be annoying houseguests, carpet beetle larvae are not considered to be harmful or dangerous towards humans or pets. Continue reading [...]…

Our reader is dealing with clothes moths and case bearing moths, and their larvae. Clothes moths and case bearing moths are actually both types of clothes moths, and both are found in North America. Continue reading [...]…

We hope our reader is able to get rid of the carpet beetle larvae in her home before she is dealing with an infestation. As we mentioned, she should start cleaning to eliminate these creatures ASAP. The silver lining? While these larvae can destroy household items, they aren't considered dangerous to human health! Continue reading [...]…

We believe the organisms chewing through our reader's home are carpet beetle larvae. For more cleaning tips for getting rid of these specimens, our reader can check one of our various articles on carpet beetle larvae. Continue reading [...]…

Today, we will address a question from a man who found a rather unwelcome bedmate amongst his sheets. He snapped a picture of it, and wonders if he has found a carpet beetle larva. We agree with his identification. This is, most likely, a carpet beetle larva. These are one of the most common household pests we hear about, and for good reason. These are known as Dermestids, or skin beetles, because they like to eat the dead skin that is constantly falling off our bodies, and bodies of our pets. If that is the preferred food source, then our houses are the best possible places to live. If you’re a carpet beetle larva, a human household is kind of like a bountiful forest in which food, literally, falls from the sky. While we know that no one wants to find one of these in their beds, Continue reading [...]…

We have received a query from a reader who is curious about the small larvae that she has found in her dog’s bed. She does not think that these critters come from her dog because the dog had not been in the bed for quite some time when she found them. Below are two pictures, one taken with a flash and one without. Our reader is correct that these little critters are not coming from her dog, though they are there because of her dog. Frequent readers will know that we will identify these as beetle larvae. Given that she found these guys in her dog’s bed, we believe that she has encountered members of the order Dermestes, also known as “skin beetles” or, more commonly, “carpet beetles.” Why are we so sure of this? The hint is in the name “skin beetle.” These beetles Continue reading [...]…

A reader found a small, wriggly critter on his desk. He took a couple pictures of it, and is wondering if we can identify it. He notes that he has two indoor dogs, and wonders if this little fellow could be related to them. His specific concern is that it may be a tapeworm. Continue reading [...]…

Recently we received a photograph from a reader who had found a worm or caterpillar near the rug that sits near her front door. The critter was sitting near her cat. The reader wonders if we know what this creature may be. She also asks if the creature poses any risk to her family, and how to dissuade it and any of its friends from visiting her home in the future. Continue reading [...]…